Water floatation cushion with deployable tether

ABSTRACT

The flotation cushion with deployable tether is generally the contour shape of a cushion without tether. A pocket is formed in the flotation cushion to conform to existing cushion structures. The tether is stored in the pocket in a manner to minimize bulging. With the tether attached at one end to the flotation cushion interior to the pocket, the flotation cushion may be thrown to a person in need of rescue while the user is grasping the tether at its free end. When the person to be rescued grabs the flotation cushion the tether may be used to retrieve the person and cushion.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates to aquatic rescue devices used byindividuals for buoyancy in water. The new device incorporates adeployable tether with a flotation cushion.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] 1. There are many known types of aquatic flotation devices foruse by individuals. Examples include life vests, which may beinflatable, flotation rings commonly associated with boating andflotation cushions, which may also be used as seat cushions in a boat orother craft. Flotation cushions may or may not have holding straps orhandles for use by an individual in holding or through which arms may beinserted to aid in retaining the cushion while being used in the water.Flotation rings may have a coiled rope or tether that is stored with thering. This tether is retained at one end by the person throwing theflotation ring to a person in the water for use in rescue. The tetherallows the individual in the water to be pulled to a boat or otherlocation.

[0005] 2. The present invention incorporates a tether and means forstorage therewith in combination with a flotation cushion. The tetherand attachment mechanism are storable in a pocket formed as part of theflotation cushion cover or structure. When the flotation cushion isthrown to a person in need of rescue in an aquatic environment, therescuer can hold the free end of the tether for use in retrieving thecushion and a person grasping the cushion.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] One object of the present invention is ease of retrieval of adeployed flotation cushion. Another object is simple storage of a tetherwith a flotation cushion.

[0007] In accordance with the description presented herein, otherobjectives of this invention will become apparent when the descriptionand drawings are reviewed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0008]FIG. 1 illustrates a top perspective view of a flotation cushionwith pocket and tether.

[0009]FIG. 2 illustrates a bottom perspective view.

[0010]FIG. 3 illustrates a top perspective view with pocket opened andtether deployed.

[0011]FIG. 4 illustrates an alternate top perspective view of theflotation cushion.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0012] 1. Floatation cushions are generally rectangular in shapealthough other shapes may be used as for example circular. Variations inshape are usually used to fit the structure of the element into whichthe device will be incorporated or stored as a cushion. Flotationcushions usually have a flotation element contained in a cover whichcover may also incorporate straps for use as handles to hold thecushion.

[0013] 2. Referring to FIG. 1 through 3, a flotation cushion (1) has apocket (2) formed in the cover (3). The pocket (2) may have an internalelement (4). The pocket (2) is formed to conform as closely as possibleto the contour of the flotation cushion (1) when a tether (5) is storedtherein.

[0014] 3. The pocket (2) has opening (6) with closure elements (7), suchas, hook and loop, snaps, zippers and the like. The pocket (2) may alsobe constructed with material overlay of the opening such that theclosure elements (7) are not required. The tether (5) is illustrated asa coiled line or rope stored in the pocket (2) in a manner to minimizethe bulging of the pocket (2). This method allows the cushion (1) withstored tether (5) to generally retain the original contour or shape.

[0015] 4. The tether (5) is attached at one end (8) to the flotationcushion (1) and has free end (9). The attached end (8) may be retainedby fixing the end in a patch (10), which is then sewn to internalelement (4). The pocket (2) may have no internal element (4) and thetether (5) may be attached directly to the flotation element (20).

[0016] 6. When it is desired to use the flotation cushion (1) for rescuethe pocket (2) is opened and the free end (9) of the tether is graspedby the user. The flotation cushion (1) is then thrown to the person tobe rescued and the tether (5) used to retrieve that person. The free end(9) may also have a fastener (15) attached, which may be used to engagethe tether with an element of the boat or other structure from which theflotation cushion is being deployed.

[0017] 7. Referring to FIG. 4, an alternate location for the pocket (2)in the flotation cushion (1) is illustrated. In this instance the pocketis formed in an edge (11) rather than in the top (12) or bottom (13).The pocket (2) has an opening (6) with a closure element (7). In thisembodiment a strip of hook and loop material may be used to close theopening (6). The tether (5) has a connecting ring (16) at the attachedend (8) which may be retained by a loop (17), hook or the like attachedto the flotation cushion (1) structure. Again the tether (5) is foldedto minimize the size of the pocket (2) and any bulging thereof.

[0018] 8. While the invention has been particularly shown and describedwith respect to the illustrated and preferred embodiments thereof, itwill be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing andother changes in form and details may be made therein without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention.

We claim:
 1. A device for use in rescue of persons in an aquaticenvironment comprising: a flotation cushion having a contour conformingpocket formed therein; the pocket having an opening therein and aclosure element; and a tether attached at an end to the flotationcushion interior to the pocket.
 2. The device as in claim 1 wherein thetether is stored in the pocket to minimize bulging.
 3. The device as inclaim 1 wherein the pocket is formed in a top of the flotation cushion.4. The device as in claim 1 wherein the pocket is formed in a bottom ofthe flotation cushion.
 5. The device as in claim 1 wherein the pocket isformed in an edge of the flotation cushion.
 6. The device as in claim 1wherein there is a fastener attached to the tether at a free end.